The New Orleans Yoga Festival will debut this September, bringing four days of yoga, music, wellness, and education to the city’s Arts and Warehouse District. The event will run from September 25 through September 28 at Republic NOLA and ARORA NOLA, hosted by the New Orleans Yoga Club, a new initiative founded by yoga and fitness instructor Mark Berger and local musician and yoga teacher Caroline Chiesa.
Organizers say the festival is the first of its kind in New Orleans, designed to blend the wisdom of ancient practice with the city’s lively spirit. The weekend is meant to be a welcoming gateway into yoga for everyone, from seasoned practitioners to those experiencing their first class. Attendees will be able to move, reflect, connect, heal, and learn in a variety of ways.
The schedule features yoga, dance, and movement classes open to all levels of experience, along with live music, sound healing sessions, and DJ sets. Wellness offerings will include reiki, Thai massage, chiropractic care, and other holistic therapies. A marketplace will highlight local artisans and wellness brands, while community talks will focus on health, Ayurveda, yogic philosophy, and conscious living. Educational sessions will be available for both beginners and advanced students.
The festival will also support several charitable partners. Proceeds will benefit the Shuck Cancer Access to Care Grant Program, which helps Louisiana health system patients with transportation and lodging assistance. Additional beneficiaries include the Split Second Foundation, which supports people living with disabilities; Yeah Yoga, which brings yoga and mindfulness to children in the New Orleans area affected by incarceration; and Nirman Varanasi, which promotes equal access to education for children in India and beyond.
“Yoga is so much more than just a physical practice. It is a roadmap to resilience and deep inner peace,” said co-founder Caroline Chiesa. “We wanted to create a weekend where everyone feels welcome to explore yogic philosophy and experience different forms of healing beyond just the physical practice we are most familiar with in the West. Our goal is to create something completely inclusive, regardless of background or body.”
Mark Berger, co-founder of the festival, added that the spirit of New Orleans played a central role in shaping the event. “New Orleans has one of the richest and most unique cultures in the country, but that often gets overshadowed by overindulgence and unhealthy habits,” he said. “We created NOYF to celebrate the true spirit of this city: by blending our signature funk with conscious yogic practices and holistic living.”
Weekend passes begin at $150 and include access to all main events from Friday through Sunday. Single day passes are available at $55 for Friday, $75 for Saturday, and $55 for Sunday. Early access on Thursday is open only to weekend pass holders.
The New Orleans Yoga Festival will run Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets are available at NOYF25.eventbrite.com, with full festival information at neworleansyogaclub.com
